Scouting Yankees Prospect #30: Brett Smith

Patrick Teale

01/10/2006

The Yankees drafted Brett Smith in the 2nd round of the 2004 MLB Draft out of the University of California-Irvine. Despite his disappointing numbers in his professional debut this past season, he has a great combination of stuff and baseball intelligence. Ranking #30 among the Top 50 Yankees' prospects, here's a scouting report on Brett Smith.

A heralded pitcher throughout his high school and college days, even being named the California High School Player of the Year before attending the University of California-Irvine, it certainly wasn't a banner professional debut for Brett Smith in 2005.

Of course, signing later than anticipated not only delayed his debut until 2005, but it might have some effect on his game.

"Honestly, it came down to my agent, Scott Boras, and the Yankees on a disagreement about money," Smith offered up as to the reason why he signed at the end of the 2004 season in an interview a year ago. "He's notorious for taking his time and I wanted to play. I was afraid that I had given a bad impression to the team and the players, especially not showing up to the Instructional League in as good as shape as I would have liked to."

Despite posting solid numbers with the Charleston Riverdogs (3-2, 4.07 ERA) this past season, Smith disappointed many with a sub-par performance in his stint in the Florida State League with the Tampa Yankees (4-7, 5.21 ERA).

"It's gone okay," a humble Brett Smith told PinstripesPlus.com towards the tail-end of the 2005 season. "They [the Yankees] are making a lot of adjustments, trying to work on some things while I'm going out there competing. It has cost me a little bit in the numbers, but, it doesn't matter. I really don't caught up in that stuff as long I'm helping the team win, especially here [in Charleston]."

Shaking off the rust and rediscovering his short and compact mechanics that he displayed in college took a bit longer than anticipated. With the weight of heavy expectations placed upon him, Smith chalked up his debut season as a learning experience.

"Me and "Pav' [Tampa Pitching Coach Greg Pavlik] were just trying to make some mechanical adjustments," Smith revealed about his time with the Tampa Yankees. "We saw some stuff off the tapes."

"Me, I'm kind of a creature of routine," Smith continued. "I tend to do a lot of the same things over and over. That is the way I learn. Its tough to make changes all the time, especially being in Tampa. I had never been in [a climate] like that before. I had a hard time getting used to pull myself up between innings and get ready for what I had to do. It was tough in Tampa. For me, I look at it as more of a learning situation."

While the fans and the pundits were down on Smith's performance in 2005 - and in a lot of ways so was Smith himself - Brett Smith remains confident in his ability and continues to focus on the positive signs of his disappointing season.

"Yeah, I'm happy with my approach," Smith listed as one of the positives he can draw from his year. "Making the transition to the five-man rotation, that's probably been my biggest adjustment. It has taken a toll on me and on my approach between starts. Its been an adjustment, but certainly one that has to be made. I haven't had any arm problems at all this year. I've felt great. That part has been good. I think I've only missed two starts. I'm excited that I've been able to maintain through this whole year. That's one, if I did have a goal, was to remain healthy all year."

Remaining healthy is one of the key goals for a pitching prospect. Showing the baseball aptitude of a 15-year veteran in the Major Leagues, Smith was also happy with his ability to stay within himself.

"I didn't want to go through what some of these guys like Philip Humber [of the Mets] did, first year out, trying to show the world that you're Greg Maddux and Roger Clemens rolled up into one."

The minor leagues are not about posting terrific numbers along the way. It is more of a journey of learning about yourself and working on the shortcomings rather than just focusing on what is working. Showing a very mature approach in the face of adversity, Smith has already learned what many top pitching prospects sometimes never learn.

"There's things that you control over and there's things that you don't," the intelligent right-hander revealed. "That [stats] is definitely one of them. The one thing I can control is my approach. Just going out and facing hitters with the same approach everyday, the results will take care of themselves."

In an era when most young players are obsessed with their box scores, Smith realizes that minor league baseball, and more importantly, his ascension to the big leagues are much more than that.

"I didn't go into this season with a checklist," said Brett Smith. "You know, like I want a 2.00 ERA or I want a 180 strikeouts. That stuff really doesn't make a difference to me, as long as our team is in the game. I'm competitive enough to go out there and help the team win. I think I've done okay."

"I mean, this isn't the breakout year for me, certainly," Smith continued. "But I think I've done a good job setting up a foundation as far as with the coaches, the higher ups like Nardi, and as far as my work ethic and what I bring to the team. But as far as stats, I'm not too worried about that."

While Brett Smith will be the first to admit that posting great numbers in addition to finding his way through his weaknesses would have been nice, he also reminds people that taking your lumps in the early going could lead to bigger and better things in the future.

"You may take a little while to get comfortable," the 22-year old hurler pondered. "In my first year of high school, my first year of college, and now my first year in the pros, I struggle to get comfortable right away, but then I take off the second year. Without putting any extra pressure on myself, that's what I'm looking to do."

"I just want to stay healthy, mature, and see how things work," Smith continued. "I just want to keep my head down, work my butt off to succeed, and move up, however it works."

Year

Team

W-L

IP

H

BB

SO

ERA

2005

Tampa

4-7

74.1

71

17

34

5.21

2005

Charleston

3-2

66.1

67

14

61

4.07

Repertoire. Fastball, Curveball, Slider/Cutter, Changeup.

Fastball. Brett Smith doesn't have the blazing fastball associated with a frontline starting pitcher. He throws his fastball in the 88-92 MPH range and uses a deceptive motion on the mound to sneak his fastball by hitters.

Other Pitches. Smith throws a solid power curveball in the 78-84 MPH range. While he has some work to do on improving his consistency with his curveball, the fact that he's able to throw it as hard as he does puts him ahead of the learning curve. He mixes in a slider at times, throwing it in the 83-88 MPH range. His slider acts more like a cut-fastball that sweeps in to lefties and away from righties up in the strike zone. Smith compliments his repertoire with a plus changeup that sits in the 78-80 MPH range. He is most comfortable with his changeup and he's able to throw that pitch in any count.

Pitching. Putting his stuff aside for a moment, Brett Smith is one of the true students of the game. He studies the game of baseball, arguably more than anybody. His passion for the game is second to none and he is never satisfied on the mound. He uses his baseball intelligence on the mound to out-smart opposing hitters and he has a plan for every hitter that steps into the batter's box. He goes right after batters and mixes his pitches up really well.

Projection. Some fans have written off Brett Smith because of his disappointing numbers in his first professional season. While he has some work to do with refining his mechanics, Smith is a much better pitcher than his 2005 numbers indicate. In a lot of ways, he is very much like Matt DeSalvo in that he possesses a good combination of stuff and baseball intelligence. More of a control pitcher than a natural thrower, Brett Smith projects to be a solid middle-of-the-rotation type of starter at the Major League level someday.

ETA. 2008. Brett Smith split time in Charleston and Tampa in 2005. Seemingly ticketed to begin the 2006 season with the Tampa Yankees, Smith has an outside shot at joining the AA-Trenton staff later in the year if he progresses well in the Florida State League. If that unfolds the way Smith and the Yankees would like, he could be ready to have an impact with the New York Yankees by 2008. He's not as far along in his development as his 2005 numbers would suggest.

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\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n(FREE PREVIEW OF PREMIUM CONTENT)\r\n\r\nVital Statistics:\r\nName: Brett Smith\r\nPosition: Starting Pitcher\r\nDOB: August 12, 1983\r\nHeight: 6'5\"\r\nWeight: 220\r\nBats: Right\r\nThrows: Right\r\n\r\nA heralded pitcher throughout his high school and college days, even being named the California High School Player of the Year before attending the University of California-Irvine, it certainly wasn't a banner professional debut for Brett Smith in 2005.\r\n\r\nOf course, signing later than anticipated not only delayed his debut until 2005, but it might have some effect on his game.\r\n\r\n\"Honestly, it came down to my agent, Scott Boras, and the Yankees on a disagreement about money,\" Smith offered up as to the reason why he signed at the end of the 2004 season in an interview a year ago. \"He's notorious for taking his time and I wanted to play. I was afraid that I had given a bad impression to the team and the players, especially not showing up to the Instructional League in as good as shape as I would have liked to.\" \r\n\r\nDespite posting solid numbers with the Charleston Riverdogs (3-2, 4.07 ERA) this past season, Smith disappointed many with a sub-par performance in his stint in the Florida State League with the Tampa Yankees (4-7, 5.21 ERA).\r\n\r\n\"It's gone okay,\" a humble Brett Smith told PinstripesPlus.com towards the tail-end of the 2005 season. \"They [the Yankees] are making a lot of adjustments, trying to work on some things while I'm going out there competing. It has cost me a little bit in the numbers, but, it doesn't matter. I really don't caught up in that stuff as long I'm helping the team win, especially here [in Charleston].\"\r\n\r\nShaking off the rust and rediscovering his short and compact mechanics that he displayed in college took a bit longer than anticipated. With the weight of heavy expectations placed upon him, Smith chalked up his debut season as a learning experience.\r\n\r\n\"Me and \"Pav' [Tampa Pitching Coach Greg Pavlik] were just trying to make some mechanical adjustments,\" Smith revealed about his time with the Tampa Yankees. \"We saw some stuff off the tapes.\"\r\n\r\n\"Me, I'm kind of a creature of routine,\" Smith continued. \"I tend to do a lot of the same things over and over. That is the way I learn. Its tough to make changes all the time, especially being in Tampa. I had never been in [a climate] like that before. I had a hard time getting used to pull myself up between innings and get ready for what I had to do. It was tough in Tampa. For me, I look at it as more of a learning situation.\"\r\n\r\nWhile the fans and the pundits were down on Smith's performance in 2005 - and in a lot of ways so was Smith himself - Brett Smith remains confident in his ability and continues to focus on the positive signs of his disappointing season.\r\n\r\n\"Yeah, I'm happy with my approach,\" Smith listed as one of the positives he can draw from his year. \"Making the transition to the five-man rotation, that's probably been my biggest adjustment. It has taken a toll on me and on my approach between starts. Its been an adjustment, but certainly one that has to be made. I haven't had any arm problems at all this year. I've felt great. That part has been good. I think I've only missed two starts. I'm excited that I've been able to maintain through this whole year. That's one, if I did have a goal, was to remain healthy all year.\"\r\n\r\nRemaining healthy is one of the key goals for a pitching prospect. Showing the baseball aptitude of a 15-year veteran in the Major Leagues, Smith was also happy with his ability to stay within himself.\r\n\r\n\"I didn't want to go through what some of these guys like Philip Humber [of the Mets] did, first year out, trying to show the world that you're Greg Maddux and Roger Clemens rolled up into one.\"\r\n\r\nThe minor leagues are not about posting terrific numbers along the way. It is more of a journey of learning about yourself and working on the shortcomings rather than just focusing on what is working. Showing a very mature approach in the face of adversity, Smith has already learned what many top pitching prospects sometimes never learn.\r\n\r\n\"There's things that you control over and there's things that you don't,\" the intelligent right-hander revealed. \"That [stats] is definitely one of them. The one thing I can control is my approach. Just going out and facing hitters with the same approach everyday, the results will take care of themselves.\"\r\n\r\nIn an era when most young players are obsessed with their box scores, Smith realizes that minor league baseball, and more importantly, his ascension to the big leagues are much more than that.\r\n\r\n\"I didn't go into this season with a checklist,\" said Brett Smith. \"You know, like I want a 2.00 ERA or I want a 180 strikeouts. That stuff really doesn't make a difference to me, as long as our team is in the game. I'm competitive enough to go out there and help the team win. I think I've done okay.\"\r\n\r\n\"I mean, this isn't the breakout year for me, certainly,\" Smith continued. \"But I think I've done a good job setting up a foundation as far as with the coaches, the higher ups like Nardi, and as far as my work ethic and what I bring to the team. But as far as stats, I'm not too worried about that.\"\r\n\r\nWhile Brett Smith will be the first to admit that posting great numbers in addition to finding his way through his weaknesses would have been nice, he also reminds people that taking your lumps in the early going could lead to bigger and better things in the future.\r\n\r\n\"You may take a little while to get comfortable,\" the 22-year old hurler pondered. \"In my first year of high school, my first year of college, and now my first year in the pros, I struggle to get comfortable right away, but then I take off the second year. Without putting any extra pressure on myself, that's what I'm looking to do.\"\r\n\r\n\"I just want to stay healthy, mature, and see how things work,\" Smith continued. \"I just want to keep my head down, work my butt off to succeed, and move up, however it works.\"\r\n\r\n